The 4 C's of Diamonds

Diamond Education
Understanding the 4C's

Every diamond has its own story — shaped by nature or technology and refined by hand. The 4C's (Cut, Color, Clarity, Carat) define its beauty and value. At Gohel Jewelers, we help you balance all four to find the diamond that feels right for you, not just your budget.


C1
Cut
What it means

Cut is how well a diamond’s facets are proportioned and aligned to reflect light. A well-cut diamond will look bright and full of life even in soft lighting, while a poorly cut stone can appear dull regardless of size or clarity.

Grades: Excellent → Very Good → Good → Fair → Poor
Pro tip: If you’re unsure where to invest, choose a better cut before more carat weight.
Visual idea: Light path comparison of an Excellent vs. Poor cut diamond.
C2
Color
What it means

Color grades measure how white or tinted a diamond appears, from colorless to a soft warm tone.

  • Colorless (D–F): Bright, icy white and rare.
  • Near Colorless (G–J): Beautiful and brilliant, excellent value.
  • Faint (K–M): Gentle warmth that pairs well with yellow or vintage-style settings.
Visual idea: Subtle D–M color scale row beside white and yellow gold bands.
C3
Clarity
What it means

Clarity looks at natural inclusions and surface marks. Most are microscopic and don’t affect everyday beauty.

  • VS–SI: Our favorite range — clean to the naked eye with smart pricing.
  • FL–VVS: Exceptional rarity, flawless or nearly flawless under magnification.
Visual idea: Loupe view of a clean diamond vs. one with visible inclusions.
C4
Carat
What it means

Carat is the weight of the diamond, not just how big it looks. A well-cut 1.00 ct can appear larger and brighter than a deeper, poorly cut 1.30 ct.

Pro tip: Choose a balanced combination of size, cut, and overall sparkle. Bigger isn’t always more beautiful.
Visual idea: Different carat sizes lined up on a hand silhouette for scale.